Hose nozzles



Sept. 16, 1958 A. w. FRANCIS HOSE NOZZLES Filed April 19, 1956 INVENTOR. flifiefi W fiance's.

BY 40k $1 Unite 2,852,310 nosn NozzLEs Albert W. Francis, Somerset, Pa. Application April 19, 1956, Serial No. 579,335

4 Claims. (Cl. 299 130 My. invention relates to hose nozzles, and particularly to hose nozzles having a conveniently arranged triggerlike control lever or handle adapted to be encircled by the fingers of the user, and connected through a valve stem with suitable valve means for controlling and directing the flow of water or other liquid in such manner that,

by varying the pressure exerted on the handle, the stream of fiuid issuing from the nozzle can be readily varied in minute variations from afine spray to a coarse spray or solid stream.

A principal object of my invention is to provide an inexpensive and simple locking means cooperating with the valve stem, whereby the valve stem can be quickly and easily locked in any position to which it is moved by the control lever and can be just as readily released.

Another object of my invention is to provide a nozzle of the type described having an inexpensive yet durable construction with a minimum number of working parts to get out of order.

Other objects and characteristic features of my invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a hose nozzle embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the nozzle.

Figs. 3 and 4 are sectional views taken on the lines III-III and lV-IV, respectively of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a partial sectional view similar to Fig. 1 showing in its locking position the means for locking the valve in its open position.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of the several views.

Referring to the drawings, my improved nozzle in the form here illustrated comprises a suitable body 1 consisting of two tubular body portions 1a and 1b secured together at a suitable angle. The body portion 1a is adapted to be gripped in the hands of the user, and is provided on one side with a laterally projecting web portion having a curved outer surface id to facilitate gripping the nozzle. Liquid is intended to enter the nozzle at the lower end of the body portion la, and to issue through the forward end of the body portion 1b under the control of a suitable valve mechanism which I will describe shortly. To facilitate fastening the nozzle to a hose or the like, the lower end 1e of the body portion la is enlarged and is internally threaded for cooperation with a male hose coupling of well-known construction (not shown). The usual hose gasket 2 may be inserted in the enlarged end 10 to seal this end of the nozzle against leaks.

The forward end of the body portion lb is also onlarged and is internally threaded to receive an annular valve member 3 having a discharge orifice 3a concentric with the bore of the body portion 1b. Surrounding the discharge orifice 3a at the inner end of the valve member 3 is a conical valve surface 3b which cooperates with a mating surface 4b formed on a valve head 4a provided on a valve stem 4. It will be apparent that when the 2,852,310 Patented Sept. 16, 1958 moved rearwardly only a slight amount, the tip portion 4dis effective to cause the stream which issues from the nozzle to be in the form of a-fine spray, and when the valve stem is moved rearwardly a considerable amount, or until the tip portion 40! is entirely clear of the discharge orifice 3a of the nozzle, a substantially solidstream will be discharged. Various forms of streams will be discharged according to the relative position of the tip portion 4d of. the valve stem with respect to the discharge oroutlet orifice 3a. V V

The rear end of the valve stem extends outwardly with a sliding fit through a concentric bore 1 in an end wall lg which closes the rear end of the body portion 1b. The forward end of the valve stem is slidably supported in concentric relation to the body. portion 112- by means of a plurality of radially extending flutes 1h (see Fig. 4) formed in the center of the body portion and cooperating. with the outer surface of the valvehead 4a. Surrounding the valvestem between the valve headda and anannular sleeve 5' is a compressed coil spring. 6 which constantly biases the valve stem to its closed position- The sleeve 5' abuts against a packing washer 7 of suitable material which, in turn, abuts against .the end wall lg of the body portion 1b' to provide a leak proof sliding fit with the valve stem 7 Attached to the rear end. of the valvestem is a nut 8 which bears at its inner end against a curved surface 9a formed on the rear side of. a handle or lever 9 which is pivotally supported at its upper end on apin 12 mounted in an upwardly extending lug .11 formed on the body portion 1b. The handle 9 is formed of two mating parts, secured together in any suitable manner, such for example as by riveting, and extendsdownwardly and forwardly in straddlingrelation across the rear end of the body portion 1b and the upper end of the body portion 1a and terminates at its lower end in. a trigger-like portion 9b. The trigger-like portion'% is adapted to be encircled by the fingers of the user aud'is' suitably curved to fit the fingers of the user and also to partially encircle the body portionla, opposite the web portion 10, when the handle is rotated as far asit can be rotated in one direction.

The parts are so proportioned that when the valve stem is moved, due to the bias of the spring 6, to the forward end of its stroke in which the. valve surfaces 3b and 4b are in seating engagement, the handle 9 will be rotated in a counterclockwise direction by engagement of the nut 3 with the curved surface 91: to a counterclockwise extreme position, as viewed in Fig. l, in which considerable clearance exists between the trigger-like portion 911 and the body portion In. It will beseen; therefore, that when no pressure is being applied to the handle 9, the valve stem will occupy its closed position due to the bias of the spring 6 and the flow of fluidthrough the nozzle will be prevented. V However, when pressure is applied to the handle 9 by the fingers of the user, the curved surface 9a of the handle wiil engage the forward face of the nut 8 and will act to move the valve stem rearwardly in opposition to the bias of the spring 6 an amount proportional to the rotation of the handle, and as a result a stream of liquid will issue through the nozzle under the'control of the handle. v V 3 A principal feature of my invention'is aineans for relcasably locking the valve stem in any open positionto which it is moved by the handle. As here shown, this locking means comprises a locking dog having a flat circular washer-like portion 10a which surrounds the valve stem 4 between the nut 8 and the end wall 1g of the tubular portion 1b. The locking dog 10 is also provided with a lug 10b which projects upwardly with considerable clearance through an opening 90 in the handle 9 and cooperates with a rearwardly extending projection 1k, formed on the rear side of the arm 1 on the body portion 1b.

Interposed between the locking dog 10 and the nut 8 is a compressed coil spring 11 which constantly biases the locking dog to a forward position on the valve stem in Which the washer-like portion 10a lies flat against the end Wall 1g on the body portion 1a. When the washer-like portion 10a is flat against the end Wall 1g, the plane of the washer-like portion is at right angles to the axis of the valve stem 4, and the parts are so proportioned that under these conditions there is just enough clearance between the valve stem and the opening in the washer-like portion to permit the valve stem to slide freely through the washer-like portion. However, the clearance is sufliciently close so that if the washer-like portion is rotated away from its normal position a slight amount, the edges of the washer defining the opening 100 will engage the valve stem 4 and grip it. The upper part of the lug 10b of the locking dog 10 is bent rearwardly at a slight angle with respect to the washer-like portion for a purpose which I will now explain.

Normally, when the handle 9 of the nozzle is released to permit the valve stem to move under the bias of the spring 6 to its closed position, the lug 10b is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, to the position in which the lug is clear of the projection 1k, and under these conditions the spring 11 moves the locking dog 10 to the position shown in Fig. 1. As was pointed out hereinbefore, when the locking dog occupies this position, there is sufiicient clearance between the opening 100 in the locking dog 10 and the valve stem 4 to permit the valve stem to slide freely in the opening, and it follows, therefore, that as long as the operator permits the locking dog to remain in its normal position, it will not interfere in any way with the operation of the valve stem in response to operation of the handle 9.

When, however, it is desired to lock the valve stem in any open position, the operator, at the same time that he is exerting a force on the handle 9 to move the valve stem to the open position, will exert a force on the lug 10b of the locking dog tending to tip it with respect to the axis of the valve stem and he will also rotate the locking dog in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, to the position in which the lug 10b is directly behind the projection 1k. As soon as the lug 10b reaches the posi tion in which it is behind the projection 1k, the lug and handle 9 may both be released. When this is done, the projection 1k and spring 11 will cooperate to exert opposing forces on the locking dog which will cause it to remain in its tipped position in which it grips the valve stem 4, and since the locking dog can not move forwardly due to engagement with the projection 1k, it will be obvious that the valve stem will be locked in the position which it then occupies.

When the valve stem is locked in any position,tif the operator desires to open the valve further and lock it in a new open position, the operator will merely hold the lug 10b in the position in which it is in line with the projection 1]; while he is moving the handle 9, and as soon as he releases the lug and the handle the valve stem will be locked in its new position.

The lock may be readily released at any time by merely exerting a slight force on the handle 9 to remove the pressure exerted on the locking dog by the biasing spring 11, and then rotating the locking dog in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, to the position in which the lug 10b is clear of the projection 1k. This will permit the spring 11 to restore the locking dog to the position in which the washer-like portion engages the end wall 1g, and will thus unlock the valve stem.

The parts may be made of any suitable material but I prefer to construct the main body portion and the handle out of suitable material which can be readily die cast, such for example as zinc or aluminum. The valve stem 4 and valve member 3 are preferably constructed of brass, while the springs 5 and 11 may be constructed of phosphor bronze. The locking dog 10 will preferably be constructed of stainless steel.

One advantage of a hose nozzle embodying my invention is that the parts are simple to machine and assemble, and a durable construction having a pleasing appearance and long life is provided.

Although I have herein shown and described only one form of hose nozzle embodying my invention, it is understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a hose nozzle having a body portion, a valve stem extending into said body portion for controlling the flow of fluid issuing from the nozzle, and a handle operatively connected with said valve stem for moving it, a locking dog for locking said stem in any position to which it is moved by said handle comprising a washer-like portion mounted on said stem adjacent said body portion in such manner that relative motion between said washer and said stem is permitted when and only when the plane of said washer-like portion is substantially at right angles to the axis of said stem, and means under the control of the operator for at times rotating said locking dog about the axis of said stem to a locking position in which it grips said stem and for subsequently releasably holding said locking dog in its locking position.

2. In a hose nozzle having a body portion, a valve stem extending into said body portion for controlling the flow of fluid issuing from the nozzle, and a handle operatively connected with said valve stem for moving it, a locking dog for locking said stem in any position to which it is moved by said handle comprising a washer-like portion mounted on said stem adjacent said body portion in such manner that relative motion between said washer and said stem is permitted when and only when the plane of said washer-like portion is substantially at right angles to the axis of said stem, a lug on said washer for at times rotating said locking dog relative to the body portion and also for simultaneously tipping the washer-like portion relative to the axis of said stem to cause it to grip the stem, a projection on said body portion cooperating with said lug when said dog is rotated to one position, and a spring disposed on said valve stem and cooperating with said washer-like portion to bias it to a position in which said washer-like portion is tipped relative to, or is disposed substantially at right angles to, the axis of the stem according as said locking dog is or is not rotated to its one position.

3. In a hose nozzle, a body comprising two tubular portions disposed at an angle, one of said tubular portions serving as a fluid inlet, a valve member disposed in one end of the other tubular portion and provided with a discharge orifice and with a valve surface surrounding the inner end of said discharge orifice, a valve stem slidably supported adjacent one end in an end Wall provided on the other end of said other tubular portion, said valve stem being provided at the other end with a valve head having a surface which mates with said valve surface to form a valve, flutes formed within said other tubular portion opposite said valve head and serving as a guide for slidably supporting said valve stem in concentric relation with respect to said discharge orifice, a packing washer slidably mounted on said valve stem adjacent said end wall, a sleeve slidably supported on said valve stem adjacent said packing washer, a compressed coil spring surrounding said valve stem between said valve head and said washer and serving to bias said valve stem to the position in which said valve surfaces are in engagement and also serving to force said packing washer into fluid-tight engagement with said end wall; a nut on the outer end of said valve stem, a handle pivotally supported at its upper end on said other tubular portion and extending downwardly in straddling relation across said two tubular portions and provided below said other tubular portion with a trigger-like portion for engagement by the fingers of an operator and also provided with a curved surface disposed in engagement with said nut in such manner that rotation of the trigger-like portion toward said one body portion will cooperate with said nut to move said valve stem to a position in which said valve surfaces are open, a locking dog for locking said stem in any position to which it is moved by said handle comprising a washer-like portion mounted on said stem adjacent said body portion in such manner that relative motion between said washer and said stem is permitted when and only when the plane of said washerlike portion is substantially at right angles to the axis of said stem, and means under the control of the operator for at times roating said locking dog about the axis of said stem to a locking position in which it grips said stem and for subsequently releasably holding said locking dog in its locking position.

4. In a hose nozzle, a body comprising two tubular portions disposed at an angle, one of said tubular portions serving as a fluid inlet, a valve member disposed in one end of the other tubular portion and provided with a discharge orifice and with a valve surface surrounding the inner end of said discharge orifice, a valve stem slidably supported adjacent one end in an end wall provided on the other end of said other tubular portion, said valve stem being provided at the other end with a valve head having a surface which mates with said valve surface to form a valve, flutes formed within said other tubular portion opposite said valve head and serving as a guide for slidablysupporting said valve stem in concentric relation with respect to said discharge orifice, a packing washer slidably mounted on said valve stem adjacent said end wall, a sleeve slidably supported on said valve stem adjacent said other tubular portion and extending downwardly in straddling relation across said tWo tubular portions and provided below said other tubular portion with a triggerlike portion for engagement by the fingers of an operator and also provided with a curved surface disposed in engagement with said nut in such maner that rotation of the trigger-like portion toward said one body portion will cooperate with said nut to move said valve stem to a position in which said valve surfaces are open, a locking dog for locking said stem in any position to which it is moved by said handle comprising a washer-like portion mounted on said stem adjacent said body portion in such manner that relative motion between said washer and said stem is permitted when and only when theplane of said washer-like portion is substantially at right angles to the axis of said stem, a lug on said washer for at times rotating said locking dog relative to the body portion and also for simultaneously tipping the washer-like portion relative to the axis of said stem to cause it to grip the stem, a projection on said body portion cooperating with said lug when said dog is rotated to one position, and a spring disposed on said valve stem and cooperating with said washer-like portion to bias it to a position in which said washer-like portion is tipped relative to, or is disposed substantially at right angles to, the axis of the stern according as said locking dog is or is not rotated to its one position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,064,794 Klauminzer Dec. 15, 1936 2,443,697 Smith June 22, 1948 2,448,159 Spreng Aug. 31, 1948 2,747,939 Caird May 29, 1956 

